Inbred maize line NP2174

ABSTRACT

An inbred maize line, designated NP2174, the plants and seeds of inbred maize line NP2174 and descendants thereof, methods for producing a maize plant produced by crossing the inbred line NP2174 with itself or with another maize plant, and hybrid maize seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred line NP2174 with another maize line or plant

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention is in the field of maize breeding, specificallyrelating to an inbred maize line designated NP2174.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The goal of plant breeding is to combine in a single variety orhybrid various desirable traits. For field crops, these traits mayinclude resistance to diseases and insects, tolerance to heat anddrought, reducing the time to crop maturity, greater yield, and betteragronomic quality. With mechanical harvesting of many crops, uniformityof plant characteristics such as germination and stand establishment,growth rate, maturity, and plant and ear height, is important.

[0003] Field crops are bred through techniques that take advantage ofthe plant's method of pollination. A plant is self-pollinated if pollenfrom one flower is transferred to the same or another flower of the sameplant. A plant is cross-pollinated if the pollen comes from a flower ona different plant. Plants that have been self-pollinated and selectedfor type for many generations become homozygous at almost all gene lociand produce a uniform population of true breeding progeny. A crossbetween two different homozygous lines produces a uniform population ofhybrid plants that may be heterozygous for many gene loci. A cross oftwo plants each heterozygous at a number of gene loci will produce apopulation of hybrid plants that differ genetically and will not beuniform.

[0004] Maize (Zea mays L.), often referred to as corn in the UnitedStates, can be bred by both self-pollination and cross-pollinationtechniques. Maize has separate male and female flowers on the sameplant, located on the tassel and the ear, respectively. Naturalpollination occurs in maize when wind blows pollen from the tassels tothe silks that protrude from the tops of the ears.

[0005] A reliable method of controlling male fertility in plants offersthe opportunity for improved plant breeding. This is especially true fordevelopment of maize hybrids, which relies upon some sort of malesterility system. There are several options for controlling malefertility available to breeders, such as: manual or mechanicalemasculation (or detasseling), cytoplasmic male sterility, genetic malesterility, gametocides and the like.

[0006] Hybrid maize seed is typically produced by a male sterilitysystem incorporating manual or mechanical detasseling. Alternate stripsof two maize inbreds are planted in a field, and the pollen-bearingtassels are removed from one of the inbreds (female). Providing thatthere is sufficient isolation from sources of foreign maize pollen, theears of the detasseled inbred will be fertilized only from the otherinbred (male) and the resulting seed is therefore hybrid and will formhybrid plants.

[0007] The laborious, and occasionally unreliable, detasseling processcan be avoided by using cytoplasmic male-sterile (CMS) inbreds. Plantsof a CMS inbred are male sterile as a result of factors resulting fromthe cytoplasmic, as opposed to the nuclear, genome. Thus, thischaracteristic is inherited exclusively through the female parent inmaize plants, since only the female provides cytoplasm to the fertilizedseed. CMS plants are fertilized with pollen from another inbred that isnot male-sterile. Pollen from the second inbred may or may notcontribute genes that make the hybrid plants male-fertile. Seed fromdetasseled fertile maize and CMS produced seed of the same hybrid can beblended to insure that adequate pollen loads are available forfertilization when the hybrid plants are grown.

[0008] There are several methods of conferring genetic male sterilityavailable, such as multiple mutant genes at separate locations withinthe genome that confer male sterility, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,654,465 and 4,727,219 and chromosomal translocations as described inU.S. Pat. Nos. 3,861,709 and 3,710,511, the disclosures of which arespecifically incorporated herein by reference. There are many othermethods of conferring genetic male sterility in the art, each with itsown benefits and drawbacks. These methods use a variety of approachessuch as delivering into the plant a gene encoding a cytotoxic substanceassociated with a male tissue specific promoter or an antisense systemin which a gene critical to fertility is identified and an antisense tothat gene is inserted in the plant (EPO 89/3010153.8 and WO 90/08828).

[0009] Another system useful in controlling male sterility makes use ofgametocides. Gametocides are not a genetic system, but rather a topicalapplication of chemicals. These chemicals affect cells that are criticalto male fertility. The application of these chemicals affects fertilityin the plants only for the growing season in which the gametocide isapplied (see Carlson, Glenn R., U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,904, which isincorporated herein by reference). Application of the gametocide, timingof the application and genotype specificity often limit the usefulnessof the approach.

[0010] The use of male sterile inbreds is but one factor in theproduction of maize hybrids. The development of maize hybrids requires,in general, the development of homozygous inbred lines, the crossing ofthese lines, and the evaluation of the crosses. Pedigree breeding andrecurrent selection breeding methods are used to develop inbred linesfrom breeding populations. Breeding programs combine the geneticbackgrounds from two or more inbred lines or various other germplasmsources into breeding pools from which new inbred lines are developed byselfing and selection of desired phenotypes. The new inbreds are crossedwith other inbred lines and the hybrids from these crosses are evaluatedto determine which of those have commercial potential. Plant breedingand hybrid development are expensive and time-consuming processes.

[0011] Pedigree breeding starts with the crossing of two genotypes, eachof which may have one or more desirable characteristics that is lackingin the other or which complements the other. If the two original parentsdo not provide all the desired characteristics, other sources can beincluded in the breeding population. In the pedigree method, superiorplants are selfed and selected in successive generations. In thesucceeding generations the heterozygous condition gives way tohomogeneous lines as a result of self-pollination and selection.Typically in the pedigree method of breeding five or more generations ofselfing and selection is practiced: F1 to F2; F3 to F4; F4 to F5, etc.

[0012] A single cross maize hybrid results from the cross of two inbredlines, each of which has a genotype that complements the genotype of theother. The hybrid progeny of the first generation is designated F1. Inthe development of commercial hybrids only the F1 hybrid plants aresought. Preferred F1 hybrids are more vigorous than their inbredparents. This hybrid vigor, or heterosis, can be manifested in manypolygenic traits, including increased vegetative growth and increasedyield.

[0013] The development of a maize hybrid involves three steps: (1) theselection of plants from various germplasm pools for initial breedingcrosses; (2) the selfing of the selected plants from the breedingcrosses for several generations to produce a series of inbred lines,which, although different from each other, breed true and are highlyuniform; and (3) crossing the selected inbred lines with differentinbred lines to produce the hybrid progeny (F1). During the inbreedingprocess in maize, the vigor of the lines decreases. Vigor is restoredwhen two different inbred lines are crossed to produce the hybridprogeny (F1). An important consequence of the homozygosity andhomogeneity of the inbred lines is that the hybrid between a definedpair of inbreds will always be the same. Once the inbreds that give asuperior hybrid have been identified, the hybrid seed can be reproducedindefinitely as long as the homogeneity of the inbred parents ismaintained.

[0014] A single cross hybrid is produced when two inbred lines arecrossed to produce the F1 progeny. A double cross hybrid is producedfrom four inbred lines crossed in pairs (A×B and C×D) and then the twoF1 hybrids are crossed again (A×B)×(C×D). Much of the hybrid vigorexhibited by F1 hybrids is lost in the next generation (F2).Consequently, seed from hybrids is not used for planting stock.

[0015] Hybrid seed production requires elimination or inactivation ofpollen produced by the female parent. Incomplete removal or inactivationof the pollen provides the potential for self-pollination. Thisinadvertently self-pollinated seed may be unintentionally harvested andpackaged with hybrid seed. Once the seed is planted, it is possible toidentify and select these self-pollinated plants. These self-pollinatedplants will be genetically equivalent to the female inbred line used toproduce the hybrid. Typically these self-pollinated plants can beidentified and selected due to their decreased vigor. Female selfs areidentified by their less vigorous appearance for vegetative and/orreproductive characteristics, including shorter plant height, small earsize, ear and kernel shape, cob color, or other characteristics.

[0016] Identification of these self-pollinated lines can also beaccomplished through molecular marker analyses. See, “The Identificationof Female Selfs in Hybrid Maize: A Comparison Using Electrophoresis andMorphology”, Smith, J. S. C. and Wych, R. D., Seed Science andTechnology 14, pp. 1-8 (1995), the disclosure of which is expresslyincorporated herein by reference. Through these technologies, thehomozygosity of the self-pollinated line can be verified by analyzingallelic composition at various loci along the genome. Those methodsallow for rapid identification of the invention disclosed herein. Seealso, “Identification of Atypical Plants in Hybrid Maize Seed byPostcontrol and Electrophoresis” Sarca, V. et al., Probleme de GeneticaTeoritca si Aplicata Vol. 20 (1) p. 29-42.

[0017] As is readily apparent to one skilled in the art, the foregoingdescribes only two of the various ways by which the inbred can beobtained by those looking to use the germplasm. Other means areavailable, and the above examples are illustrative only.

[0018] Maize is an important and valuable field crop. Thus, a continuinggoal of plant breeders is to develop high-yielding maize hybrids thatare agronomically sound based on stable inbred lines. The reasons forthis goal are obvious: to maximize the amount of grain produced with theinputs used and minimize susceptibility of the crop to pests andenvironmental stresses. To accomplish this goal, the maize breeder mustselect and develop superior inbred parental lines for producing hybrids.This requires identification and selection of genetically uniqueindividuals that occur in a segregating population. The segregatingpopulation is the result of a combination of crossover events plus theindependent assortment of specific combinations of alleles at many geneloci that results in specific genotypes. The probability of selectingany one individual with a specific genotype from a breeding cross isinfinitesimal due to the large number of segregating genes and theunlimited recombinations of these genes, some of which may be closelylinked. However, the genetic variation among individual progeny of abreeding cross allows for the identification of rare and valuable newgenotypes. These new genotypes are neither predictable nor incrementalin value, but rather the result of manifested genetic variation combinedwith selection methods, environments and the actions of the breeder.Thus, even if the entire genotypes of the parents of the breeding crosswere characterized and a desired genotype known, only a few, if any,individuals having the desired genotype may be found in a largesegregating F2 population. Typically, however, neither the genotypes ofthe breeding cross parents nor the desired genotype to be selected isknown in any detail. In addition, it is not known how the desiredgenotype would react with the environment. This genotype by environmentinteraction is an important, yet unpredictable, factor in plantbreeding. A breeder of ordinary skill in the art cannot predict thegenotype, how that genotype will interact with various climaticconditions or the resulting phenotypes of the developing lines, exceptperhaps in a very broad and general fashion. A breeder of ordinary skillin the art would also be unable to recreate the same line twice from thevery same original parents, as the breeder is unable to direct how thegenomes combine or how they will interact with the environmentalconditions. This unpredictability results in the expenditure of largeamounts of research resources in the development of a superior new maizeinbred line.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0019] According to the invention, there is provided a novel inbredmaize line, designated NP2174. This invention thus relates to the seedsof inbred maize line NP2174, to the plants of inbred maize line NP2174,and to methods for producing a maize plant by crossing the inbred lineNP2174 with itself or another maize line. This invention further relatesto hybrid maize seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred lineNP2174 with another maize line.

[0020] The invention is also directed to inbred maize line NP2174 intowhich one or more specific, single gene traits, for example transgenes,have been introgressed from another maize line. Preferably, theresulting line has essentially all of the morphological andphysiological characteristics of inbred maize line of NP2174, inaddition to the one or more specific, single gene traits introgressedinto the inbred, preferably the resulting line has all of themorphological and physiological characteristics of inbred maize line ofNP2174, in addition to the one or more specific, single gene traitsintrogressed into the inbred. The invention also relates to seeds of aninbred maize line NP2174 into which one or more specific, single genetraits have been introgressed and to plants of an inbred maize lineNP2174 into which one or more specific, single gene traits have beenintrogressed. The invention further relates to methods for producing amaize plant by crossing plants of an inbred maize line NP2174 into whichone or more specific, single gene traits have been introgressed withthemselves or with another maize line. The invention also furtherrelates to hybrid maize seeds and plants produced by crossing plants ofan inbred maize line NP2174 into which one or more specific, single genetraits have been introgressed with another maize line. The invention isalso directed to a method of producing inbreds comprising planting acollection of hybrid seed, growing plants from the collection,identifying inbreds among the hybrid plants, selecting the inbred plantsand controlling their pollination to preserve their homozygosity.

DEFINITIONS

[0021] In the description and examples that follow, a number of termsare used herein. In order to provide a clear and consistentunderstanding of the specification and claims, including the scope to begiven such terms, the following definitions are provided. Below are thedescriptors used in the data tables included herein. All linearmeasurements are in centimeters unless otherwise noted. Heat units (MaxTemp(<=86 deg. F.) + Min Temp(>=50 deg. F.))/2 − 50 EMRGN Final numberof plants per plot KRTP Kernel type: 1. sweet 2. dent 3. flint 4. flour5. pop 6. ornamental 7. pipecorn 8. other ERTLP % Root lodging (beforeanthesis) GRNSP % Brittle snapping (before anthesis) TBANN Tassel branchangle of 2nd primary lateral branch (at anthesis) LSPUR Leaf sheathpubescence of second leaf above the ear (at anthesis) 1-9 (1 = none)ANGBN Angle between stalk and 2nd leaf above the ear (at anthesis) CR2LColor of 2nd leaf above the ear (at anthesis) GLCR Glume Color GLCBGlume color bars perpendicular to their veins (glume bands): 1. absent2. present ANTC Anther color PLQUR Pollen Shed: 0-9 (0 = male sterile)HU1PN Heat units to 10% pollen shed HUPSN Heat units to 50% pollen shedSLKC Silk color HU5SN Heat units to 50% silk SLK5N Days to 50% silk inadapted zone HU9PN Heat units to 90% pollen shed HUPLN Heat units from10% to 90% pollen shed DA19 Days from 10% to 90% pollen shed LAERNNumber of leaves above the top ear node MLWVR Leaf marginal waves: 1-9(1 = none) LFLCR Leaf longitudinal creases: 1-9 (1 = none) ERLLN Lengthof ear leaf at the top ear node ERLWN Width of ear leaf at the top earnode at the widest point PLHCN Plant height to tassel tip ERHCN Plantheight to the top ear node LTEIN Length of the internode between the earnode and the node above LTASN Length of the tassel from top leaf collarto tassel tip LTBRN Number of lateral tassel branches that originatefrom the central spike EARPN Number of ears per stalk APBRR Anthocyaninpigment of brace roots: 1. absent 2. faint 3. moderate 4. dark TILLNNumber of tillers per plant HSKC Husk color 25 days after 50% silk(fresh) HSKD Husk color 65 days after 50% silk (dry) HSKTR Husktightness 65 days after 50% silk: 1-9 (1 = loose) HSKCR Huskextension: 1. short (ear exposed) 2. medium (8 cm) 3. long (8-10 cm) 4.very long (>10 cm) HEPSR Position of ear 65 days after 50% silk: 1.upright 2. horizontal 3. pendent STGRP % Staygreen at maturity DPOPN %dropped ears 65 days after anthesis LRTRN % root lodging 65 days afteranthesis HU25 Heat units to 25% grain moisture HUSG Heat units from 50%silk to 25% grain moisture in adapted zone DSGM Days from 50% silk to25% grain moisture in adapted zone SHLNN Shank length ERLNN Ear lengthERDIN Diameter of the ear at the midpoint EWGTN Weight of a husked ear(grams) KRRWR Kernel rows: 1. indistinct 2. distinct KRNAR Kernel rowalignment: 1. straight 2. slightly curved 3. curved ETAPR Ear taper: 1.slight 2. average 3. extreme KRRWN Number of kernel rows COBC Cob colorCOBDN Diameter of the cob at the midpoint KRTP Endosperm type: 1. sweet2. extra sweet 3. normal 4. high amylose 5. waxy 6. high protein 7. highlysine 8. super sweet 9. high oil 10. other KRCL Hard endosperm colorALEC Aleurone color ALCP Aleurone color pattern: 1. homozygous 2.segregating KRLNN Kernel length (mm) KRWDN Kernel width (mm) KRDPNKernel thickness (mm) K100N 100 kernel weight (grams) KRPRN % roundkernels on 13/64 slotted screen GRLSR Grey leaf spot severity rating; 1= resistent, 9 = susceptible. INTLR Intactness rating of plants at timeof harvest; 1 = all foliage intact, 9 = all plants broken below the ear.LRTLP Percentage of plants lodged, leaning >30 degrees from vertical,but unbroken at harvest. MST_P Percent grain moisture at harvest. SCLBRSouthern corn leaf blight severity rating; 1 = resistent, 9 =susceptible. STKLP Percentage of plants with stalks broken below the earat time of harvest. YBUAN Grain yield expressed as bushels per acreadjusted to 15.5% grain moisture. STBWR Stewart Bacterial Wilt ERLNN EarLength CRSTR Common Rust Rating GRQUR Grain Quality PLTAR PlantAppearance HUBLN Heat Units to Black Layer TSTWN Test Weight in LBS/BUPSTSP Push Test for Stalk/Root Quality on Erect Plants ERGRR EarlyGrowth: 6+ Leaf Stage

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Inbred maize lines are typically developed for use in theproduction of hybrid maize lines. Inbred maize lines need to be highlyhomogeneous, homozygous and reproducible to be useful as parents ofcommercial hybrids. There are many analytical methods available todetermine the homozygotic and phenotypic stability of these inbredlines.

[0023] The oldest and most traditional method of analysis is theobservation of phenotypic traits. The data is usually collected in fieldexperiments over the life of the maize plants to be examined. Phenotypiccharacteristics most often observed are for traits associated with plantmorphology, ear and kernel morphology, insect and disease resistance,maturity, and yield.

[0024] In addition to phenotypic observations, the genotype of a plantcan also be examined. There are many laboratory-based techniquesavailable for the analysis, comparison and characterization of plantgenotype; among these are Isozyme Electrophoresis, Restriction FragmentLength Polymorphisms (RFLPs), Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNAs(RAPDs), Arbitrarily Primed Polymerase Chain Reaction (AP-PCR), DNAAmplification Fingerprinting (DAF), Sequence Characterized AmplifiedRegions (SCARs), Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms (AFLPs), andSimple Sequence Repeats (SSRs) which are also referred to asMicrosatellites.

[0025] Some of the most widely used of these laboratory techniques areIsozyme Electrophoresis and RFLPs as discussed in Lee, M., “Inbred Linesof Maize and Their Molecular Markers,” The Maize Handbook,(Springer-Verlag, New York, Inc. 1994, at 423-432). IsozymeElectrophoresis is a useful tool in determining genetic composition,although it has relatively low number of available markers and the lownumber of allelic variants among maize inbreds. RFLPs have the advantageof revealing an exceptionally high degree of allelic variation in maizeand the number of available markers is almost limitless. Maize RFLPlinkage maps have been rapidly constructed and widely implemented ingenetic studies. One such study is described in Boppenmaier, et al.,“Comparisons among strains of inbreds for RFLPs”, Maize GeneticsCooperative Newsletter, 65:1991, pg. 90. This study used 101 RFLPmarkers to analyze the patterns of 2 to 3 different deposits each offive different inbred lines. The inbred lines had been selfed from 9 to12 times before being adopted into 2 to 3 different breeding programs.It was results from these 2 to 3 different breeding programs thatsupplied the different deposits for analysis. These five lines weremaintained in the separate breeding programs by selfing or sibbing androgueing off-type plants for an additional one to eight generations.After the RFLP analysis was completed, it was determined the five linesshowed 0-2% residual heterozygosity. Although this was a relativelysmall study, it can be seen using RFLPs that the lines had been highlyhomozygous prior to the separate strain maintenance.

[0026] The production of hybrid maize lines typically comprises plantingin pollinating proximity seeds of, for example, inbred maize line NP2174and of a different inbred parent maize plant, cultivating the seeds ofinbred maize line NP2174 and of said different inbred parent maize plantinto plants that bear flowers, emasculating the male flowers of inbredmaize line NP2174 or the male flowers of said different inbred parentmaize plant to produce an emasculated maize plant, allowingcross-pollination to occur between inbred maize line NP2174 and saiddifferent inbred parent maize plant and harvesting seeds produced onsaid emasculated maize plant. The harvested seed are grown to producehybrid maize plants.

[0027] Inbred maize line NP2174 can be crossed to inbred maize lines ofvarious heterotic group (see e.g. Hallauer et al. (1988) in Corn andCorn Improvement, Sprague et al, eds, chapter 8, pages 463-564) for theproduction of hybrid maize lines. TABLE I VARIETY DESCRIPTIONINFORMATION Inbred maize line NP2174 is compared to inbred CM105 INBREDNP2174 INBRED CM105 Heat Heat MATURITY Days Units Days Units Fromemergence to 50% of plants in silk 65 1242.2 63 1203.4 From emergence to50% of plants in pollen 65 1250.6 62 1173.2 From 10% to 90% pollen shed003 0068.7 003 0076.0 Sample Sample PLANT Std Dev Size Std Dev Size cmPlant Height (to tassel tip) 202.1 25.75 11 169.5 20.05 11 cm Ear Height(to base of top ear node) 84.5 11.79 11 57.9 6.70 11 cm Length of TopEar Internodenode 11.9 2.14 11 12.6 2.63 11 Average Number of Tillers0.3 0.42 9 0.2 0.26 9 Average Number of Ears per Stalk 1.3 0.23 11 1.10.08 11 Anthocyanin of Brace Roots: 4 3 1 = Absent 2 = Faint 3 =Moderate 4 = Dark Sample Sample LEAF Std Dev Size Std Dev Size Cm Widthof Ear Node Leaf 009.2 0.50 11 007.3 0.24 11 cm Length of Ear Node Leaf077.7 8.59 11 078.5 5.75 11 Number of leaves above top ear 6 0.12 11 50.30 11 degrees Leaf Angle 42 11.69 11 54 9.97 11 (measure from 2nd leafabove ear at anthesis to stalk above leaf) Leaf Color 03 (Munsell code03 (Munsell code 5GY 4/4) 5GY 4/4) Leaf Sheath Pubescence 5 6 (Rate onscale from 1 = none to 9 = like peach fuzz) Marginal Waves 4 4 (Rate onscale from 1 = none to 9 = many) Longitudinal Creases 4 6 (Rate on scalefrom 1 = none to 9 = many) TASSEL Number of Primary Lateral Branches 50.69 11 5 2.04 11 Branch Angle from Central Spike 35 28.13 11 46 11.5911 Cm Tassel Length 34.3 4.15 11 32.5 2.63 11 (from top leaf collar totassel tip) Pollen Shed 6 6 (Rate on scale from 0 = male sterile to 9 =heavy shed) Anther Color 05 (Munsell code 26 (Munsell code) 5GY 8/6)Glume Color 26 (Munsell code) 26 (Munsell code) Bar Glumes (GlumeBands): 1 = Absent 2 2 2 = Present EAR (Unhusked Data) Silk Color (3days after emergence) 26 (Munsell code) 05 (Munsell code 2.5GY 8/8)Fresh Husk Color (25 days after 50% 05 (Munsell code 02 (Munsell codesilking) 5GY 7/6) 5GY 8/6) Dry Husk Color (65 days after 50% 22 (Munsellcode 22 (Munsell code silking) 2.5Y 8/4) 2.5Y 8/4) Position of Ear atDry Husk Stage: 1 3 1 = Upright 2 = Horizontal 3 = Pendent HuskTightness 6 3 (Rate on scale from 1 = very loose to 9 = very tight) HuskExtension (at harvest): 2 3 1 = Short (ears exposed) 2 = Medium (<8 cm)3 = Long (8-10 cm beyond ear tip) 4 = Very long (>10 cm) Sample SampleEAR (Husked Ear Data) Std Dev Size Std Dev Size Cm Ear Length 15.1 1.0911 13.6 1.57 10 mm Ear Diameter at mid-point 38.7 2.27 11 36.2 2.58 10gm Ear Weight 117.1 6.01 11 081.9 14.04 10 Number of Kernel Rows 13 0.4711 13 0.51 10 Kernel Rows: 1 = Indistinct 2 = Distinct 2 2 RowAlignment: 1 1 1 = Straight 2 = Slightly Curved 3 = Spiral cm ShankLength 8.3 2.20 11 9.5 3.53 10 Ear Taper: 1 = Slight 2 = Average 1 2 3 =Extreme Sample Sample KERNEL Dried Std Dev Size Std Dev Size mm KernelLength 11.1 0.38 11 09.5 0.89 10 mm Kernel Width 8.4 0.38 11 7.5 0.32 10mm Kernel Thickness 3.8 0.69 11 4.3 0.52 10 % Round Kernels (ShapeGrade) 33.9 26.14 11 31.5 12.03 10 Aleurone Color Pattern: 1 1 1 =Homozygous 2 = Segregating Aleurone Color 19 (Munsell code) 26 (Munsellcode) Hard Endosperm Color 07 (Munsell code 07 (Munsell code 2.5Y 8/10)5Y 5/6) Endosperm Type: 3 3 1 = Sweet (su1) 2 = Extra Sweet (sh2) 3 =Normal Starch Gm Weight per 100 Kernels (unsized 29.0 4.10 11 23.0 2.4610 sample) Sample Sample COB Std Dev Size Std Dev Size mm Cob Diameterat mid-point 21.9 1.82 11 24.4 1.18 10 Cob Color 14 (Munsell code 12(Munsell code 10R 4/6) 2.5YR 5/6) DISEASE RESISTANCE (1 = mostsusceptible to 9 = most resistant) Eye Spot (Kabatiella zeae) 6 4Northern Leaf Blight 7 Mixed 3 Mixed Inoc. Inoc. Gray Leaf Spot 2 CommonRust INSECT RESISTANCE (Rate from 1 = most susceptible to 9 = mostresistant) European Corn Borer (Osstrinia nubilalis) 2 6 1^(st)Generation (Typically Whorl Leaf Feeding) 2^(nd) Generation Corn Borer 57 AGRONOMIC TRAITS Stay Green (at 65 days after anthesis) 7 5 (rate onscale from 1 = worst to 9 = excellent) % Dropped Ears (at 65 days afteranthesis) 0 0 % Pre-anthesis Brittle snapping 1 1 % Pre-anthesis RootLodging 0 0 % Post-anthesis Root Lodging 0 6 (at 65 days after anthesis)Kg/ha Yield of Inbred Per Se (at 12-13% grain moisture)

[0028] In interpreting the foregoing color designations, reference maybe made to the Munsell Glossy Book of Color, a standard color reference.Color codes: 1. light green, 2. medium green, 3. dark green, 4. verydark green, 5. green-yellow, 6. pale yellow, 7. yellow, 8.yellow-orange, 9. salmon, 10. pink-orange, 11. pink, 12. light red, 13.cherry red 14. red, 15. red and white, 16. pale purple, 17. purple, 18.colorless, 19. white, 20. white capped, 21. buff, 22. tan, 23. brown,24. bronze, 25. variegated, 26. other.

[0029] Other comments to help interpret data are as follows:

[0030] 1) Heat Units per day were calculated using the standard formula:HU={MaxTemp (86)+Min Temp (50)]/2-50.

[0031] 2) Large standard deviations are probably due to environmentalfactors at each individual location where the variety was observed.Since the varieties reported in this exhibit are inbreds, the responseto the environment is probably more pronounced than a hybrid or acombination of these inbred lines. Any stress at specific times duringthe growing season could influence results.

[0032] 3) The glume color of NP2174 is 05 or green-yellow (Munsell value5GY 7/8) with some 16 or pale purple shaded areas. The glume margins are16 or pale purple.

[0033] 4) The NP2174 glume has 17 or purple tips.

[0034] 5) The glume color bars of NP2174 appear 05 or green-yellow.

[0035] 6) The silk color of NP2174 is 05 or green-yellow with 16 or palepurple shaded ends.

[0036] 7) The anther color of CM105 appears 05 or green-yellow with 16or pale purple shade.

[0037] 8) The glume color of CM105 is 03 or dark green with 17 or purpleshaded areas.

[0038] 9) The glume of CM105 has 17 or purple tips.

[0039] 10) The glume color bars of CM105 are 05 or green-yellow with a16 or pale purple shade.

[0040] 11) Aleurone color of CM105 is 19 or white with a reddish shade.

[0041]12) Disease and insect data for NP2174 was recorded in 1997 and1998 at Stanton, Minn. (2 reps.).

[0042] 13) Disease and insect data for CM105 was recorded in 1996 and1998 at Stanton, Minn. (2 reps.).

[0043] The corn inbred line NP2174 is most similar to the PVP StandardInbred Line CM105. Comparisons of the two varieties were conducted in“side-by-side” trials in 1997 and 1998 at three different sites. Thetrial locations were London, Ontario, Canada, Stanton, Minn. andJanesville, Wis. The trials had two replications at each site. Plot sizewas 152 cm×518 cm. Each plot had approximately 50 plants.

[0044] Following is a description of the traits that different betweenNP2174 and CM105:

[0045] NP2174 is a later maturity inbred in comparison to CM105. Thesilk emergence for the variety NP2174 is later at 1242 heat units incomparison to CM105 at 1203 heat units. The days from emergence to 50%silk is greater for NP2174 at 65 days than CM105 at 63 days. NP2174accumulates more heat units for all stages of pollen shed compared toCM105. At 10%, 50%, and 90% pollen shed, NP2174 accumulates 1225, 1250,and 1294 heat units. CM105 sheds pollen at 1137, 1173, and 1213 heatunits at the same stages. There were 65 days to 50% pollen shed forNP2174 and 63 days for CM105

[0046] The plant appearance of NP2174 differs significantly from CM105.The plant and ear height of NP2174 is taller at 202.1 and 84.5 cmrespectively, than CM105 at 169.5 and 57.9 cm respectively. Although theNP2174 plant is taller it has a shorter top ear internode than CM105.The internode length of NP2174 is 11.9 cm and CM105 is 12.6. Theanthocyanic pigmentation of the brace roots is rated a “4” or “dark” forNP2174 and “3” or “moderate” for CM105. The width of the ear node leafon NP2174 is 9.2 cm, which is significantly wider than the CM105 leaf at7.3 cm. The NP2174 plant also has more leaves above the top ear with 6and the CM105 plant has 5. The leaf sheath pubescence of NP2174 is rateda “5” and CM105 is rated a “6”.

[0047] Some of the more pronounced differences between NP2174 and CM105occur in the tassel. The anther color of NP2174 is 05 or green-yellow(Munsell Color—5GY 8/6) and CM105 is 05 or green-yellow with a faint 16or pale purple shade. The glume color of NP2174 is 05 or green-yellow(Munsell Color—5GY 7/8) and 05 or green-yellow with 16 or pale purpleshaded areas. There also is a 16 or pale purple coloring on the marginsof the NP2174 glume. The glume color of CM105 is 03 or dark green with17 or purple shaded areas. The glume color bars of NP2174 appear to be05 or green-yellow and CM105 appears 05 or green-yellow with 16 or palepurple shade.

[0048] The silk color of NP2174 is 05 or green-yellow with 16 or palepurple shaded ends. The A632 silk is 05 or green-yellow (MunsellColor—2.5GY 8/8).

[0049] The fresh husk color of NP2174 is 05 or green- yellow (MunsellColor—5GY 7/6) and CM105 is 02 or medium green (Munsell Color 5GY 8/6).

[0050] The position of the NP2174 at the dry husk stage is rated a “1”or upright and CM105 is rated a “3” or pendent. The husk tightness of anunhusked NP2174 ear is rated a “6” as compared to CM105, which is rateda “3”.

[0051] NP2174 husked ear is significantly different than CM105. The earlength of NP2174 is 15.1 cm and CM105 is 13.6 cm. The ear diameter ofNP2174 is 38.7 mm and CM105 is 36.2 mm. The NP2174 ear weights 117.1 gmas compared to CM105 at 81.9 gm. NP2174 has a slight taper to the earand is rated a “1” while CM105 has an average taper, rated as a “2”.NP2174 has a larger cob diameter at the mid-point at 21.9 mm than CM105at 24.4 mm. The NP2174 cob is 14 or red (Munsell Color—10R 4/6) andCM105 is 12 or light red (Munsell Color—2.5YR 5/6).

[0052] The kernels of the two inbreds differ greatly. NP2174 has alonger kernel than CM105. NP2174 is 11.1 mm long as compared to 9.5 mmon CM105. The kernel width of NP2174 is 8.4 mm. The kernel width ofCM105 is 7.5 mm. The gram weight per 100 kernels of NP2174 is 29.0 whileCM105 is 23 grams. The aleurone color of the NP2174 is 19 or white whilethe CM105 kernel appears to be 19 or white with a slight reddish shade.

[0053] The disease and insect resistance of the two inbreds also hassome significant differences. The Eyespot rating for NP2174 is “6” andit is a “4” for CM105. The First Brood European Corn Borer rating ofNP2174 is a “2” and for CM105 it is a “6”. The Second Brood Corn BorerRating (leaf feeding) is a “5” for NP2174 and a “7” for CM105.

[0054] Origin and Breeding History of Corn Inbred Line NP2174 isdescribed as follows:

[0055] Inbred line NP2174 was derived from the initial cross of inbredline 794 and inbred line H8431. This initial cross was then backcrossedto inbred line H8431. Both 794 and H8431 were developed and are owned bySyngenta Seeds, Inc. After development of the BC₁ population of794/H8431*1, the breeding method was simple pedigree ear-to-rowdevelopment of inbred line NP2174.

[0056] The details of the development of inbred line NP2174 are asfollows:

[0057] 1986 Janesville, Wis.: 794 was crossed to H8431 to produce F₁seed.

[0058] 1986/87 Kauai, Hawaii: H8431 was backcrossed to 794/H8431 togenerate 794/H8431*1 BC₁ S₀ seed.

[0059] 1987 Janesville, Wis.: Plants of the S₀ were self-pollinated toproduce the S₁ generation.

[0060] 1988/89 Kauai, Hawaii: Ear rows of the S₁ families were grown,observed, and self pollinated to produce the S₂ generation. Phenotypicselection of the S1 families was based upon resistance to disease,synchrony of pollen shed and silk emergence, and kernel quality.

[0061] 1990 Janesville, Wis.: Ear rows of the selected S₂ families weregrown, observed, and self-pollinated to produce the S₃ generation.Phenotypic selection of the S₂ families was made based upon resistanceto diseases, synchrony of pollen shed and silk emergence, and kernelquality. Testcrosses of the S₂ families were also made.

[0062] 1990/91 Puerto Rico: Ear rows of the selected S₃ families weregrown, observed, and self-pollinated to produce the S₄ generation.Phenotypic selection of the S₃ families was made based upon resistanceto diseases, synchrony of pollen shed and silk emergence, and kernelquality.

[0063] 1991 Janesville, Wis.: Ear rows of the selected S₄ families weregrown, observed, and self-pollinated to produce the S₅ generation.Selection of S₄ families was based upon the performance of the S₂testcrosses for grain yield, grain moisture at harvest, and resistanceto stalk and root lodging. These testcrosses were grown at severallocations. Phenotypic selection of the S₄ families was based uponresistance to diseases, synchrony of pollen shed and silk emergence, andkernel quality. Testcrosses of the S₄ families were also made.

[0064] 1991/92 Kauai, Hawaii: Ear rows of the selected S₅ families weregrown, observed, and self-pollinated to produce the S₆ generation.Selection of S₅ families was based upon resistance to diseases,synchrony of pollen shed and silk, and kernel quality.

[0065] 1992 Janesville, Wis.: Ear rows of the S₆ families were grown andself-pollinated to produce the S₇ generation. Selection of S₆ familieswas based upon the performance of the S₄ testcrosses for grain yield,grain moisture at harvest, and resistance to stalk and root lodging.These testcrosses were grown at several locations. Phenotypic selectionof the S₆ families was based upon resistance to diseases, synchrony ofpollen shed and silk, and kernel quality. Testcrosses of the S₆ familieswere made.

[0066] 1992/93 Kauai, Hawaii: Ear rows of the selected S₇ families weregrown, observed, and self-pollinated to produce the S₈ generation.Selection of S₇ families was based upon resistance to diseases,synchrony of pollen shed and silk, and kernel quality.

[0067] 1993 Janesville, Wis.: Ear rows of the S₈ families were grown,observed, and self-pollinated to produce the S₉ generation. Selection ofS₈ families was based upon the S₆ testcrosses for grain yield, grainmoisture at harvest, and resistance to stalk and root lodging. Thesetestcrosses were grown at several locations. Phenotypic selection of theS₈ families was based upon resistance to diseases, synchrony of pollenshed and silk, and kernel quality. Testcrosses of the S₈ families werealso made.

[0068] 1993/94 Kauai, Hawaii: Ear rows of an S₉ family were grown,observed, and self-pollinated to produce the S₁₀ generation. Testcrossof the S₉ family was made.

[0069] 1994 Janesville, Wis.: Ear rows of the S₁₀ families were grown,observed, and self-pollinated to produce the S₁₁ generation. Selectionof S₁₀ families was based upon the S₉ testcrosses for grain yield, grainmoisture at harvest, and resistance to stalk and root lodging. Thetestcrosses were grown at several locations. Phenotypic selection of theS₁₀ families was continued for resistance to diseases, synchrony ofpollen shed and silk, and kernel quality. Testcrosses of the S₁₀families were also made.

[0070] 1994/95 Kauai, Hawaii: Ear row of one S₁₁ family was grown,observed, and self-pollinated to produce the S₁₂ generation. Testcrossof the S₁₁ family was also made. Plants within the S₁₁ family wereclosely evaluated for uniformity of anther and silk color, plant and earheight, and other characteristics.

[0071] 1995 Janesville, Wis.: Four rows each of fifteen S₁₂ ears wereplanted, observed, and pollinated to produce breeder's seed. Plants wereclosely evaluated for uniformity of anther and silk color, plant and earheight, and other characteristics. Isozyme test (12 compounds) confirmedthe purity of the inbred line NP2174.

[0072] From 1996 to 1998, the inbred line has been observed atJanesville, Wis., Stanton, Minn., Hampton, Iowa and other locations. Nophenotypic or isozymic variants have been observed from 1995 to present.The inbred NP2174 has been uniform and stable from 1995 to 1998 duringat least five generations of propagation.

[0073] The invention also encompasses plants of inbred maize line NP2174and parts thereof further comprising one or more specific, single genetraits which have been introgressed into inbred maize line NP2174 fromanother maize line. Preferably, one or more new traits are transferredto inbred maize line NP2174, or, alternatively, one or more traits ofinbred maize line NP2174 are altered or substituted. The transfer (orintrogression) of the trait(s) into inbred maize line NP2174 is forexample achieved by recurrent selection breeding, for example bybackcrossing. In this case, inbred maize line NP2174 (the recurrentparent) is first crossed to a donor inbred (the non-recurrent parent)that carries the appropriate gene(s) for the trait(s) in question. Theprogeny of this cross is then mated back to the recurrent parentfollowed by selection in the resultant progeny for the desired trait(s)to be transferred from the non-recurrent parent. After three, preferablyfour, more preferably five or more generations of backcrosses with therecurrent parent with selection for the desired trait(s), the progenywill be heterozygous for loci controlling the trait(s) beingtransferred, but will be like the recurrent parent for most or almostall other genes (see, for example, Poehlman & Sleper (1995) BreedingField Crops, 4th Ed., 172-175; Fehr (1987) Principles of CultivarDevelopment, Vol. 1: Theory and Technique, 360-376).

[0074] The laboratory-based techniques described above, in particularRFLP and SSR, are routinely used in such backcrosses to identify theprogenies having the highest degree of genetic identity with therecurrent parent. This permits to accelerate the production of inbredmaize lines having at least 90%, preferably at least 95%, morepreferably at least 99% genetic identity with the recurrent parent, yetmore preferably genetically identical to the recurrent parent, andfurther comprising the trait(s) introgressed from the donor patent. Suchdetermination of genetic identity is based on molecular markers used inthe laboratory-based techniques described above. Such molecular markersare for example those known in the art and described in Boppenmaier, etal., “Comparisons among strains of inbreds for RFLPs”, Maize GeneticsCooperative Newsletter (1991) 65, pg. 90, or those available from theUniversity of Missouri database and the Brookhaven laboratory database(see http://www.agron.missouri.edu). The last backcross generation isthen selfed to give pure breeding progeny for the gene(s) beingtransferred. The resulting plants have essentially all of themorphological and physiological characteristics of inbred maize lineNP2174, in addition to the single gene trait(s) transferred to theinbred. Preferably, the resulting plants have all of the morphologicaland physiological characteristics of inbred maize line NP2174, inaddition to the single gene trait(s) transferred to the inbred. Theexact backcrossing protocol will depend on the trait being altered todetermine an appropriate testing protocol. Although backcrossing methodsare simplified when the trait being transferred is a dominant allele, arecessive allele may also be transferred. In this instance it may benecessary to introduce a test of the progeny to determine if the desiredtrait has been successfully transferred.

[0075] Many traits have been identified that are not regularly selectedfor in the development of a new inbred but that can be improved bybackcrossing techniques or genetic transformation. Examples of traitstransferred to inbred maize line NP2174 include, but are not limited to,waxy starch, herbicide tolerance, resistance for bacterial, fungal, orviral disease, insect resistance, enhanced nutritional quality, improvedperformance in an industrial process, altered reproductive capability,such as male sterility or male fertility, yield stability and yieldenhancement. Other traits transferred to inbred maize line NP2174 arefor the production of commercially valuable enzymes or metabolites inplants of inbred maize line NP2174.

[0076] Traits transferred to maize inbred line NP2174 are naturallyoccurring maize traits, which are preferably introgressed into inbredmaize line NP2174 by breeding methods such as backcrossing, or areheterologous transgenes, which are preferably first introduced into amaize line by genetic transformation using genetic engineering andtransformation techniques well known in the art, and then introgressedinto inbred line NP2174. Alternatively a heterologous trait is directlyintroduced into inbred maize line NP2174 by genetic transformation.Heterologous, as used herein, means of different natural origin orrepresents a non-natural state. For example, if a host cell istransformed with a nucleotide sequence derived from another organism,particularly from another species, that nucleotide sequence isheterologous with respect to that host cell and also with respect todescendants of the host cell which carry that gene. Similarly,heterologous refers to a nucleotide sequence derived from and insertedinto the same natural, original cell type, but which is present in anon-natural state, e.g. a different copy number, or under the control ofdifferent regulatory sequences. A transforming nucleotide sequence maycomprise a heterologous coding sequence, or heterologous regulatorysequences. Alternatively, the transforming nucleotide sequence may becompletely heterologous or may comprise any possible combination ofheterologous and endogenous nucleic acid sequences.

[0077] A transgene introgressed into maize inbred line NP2174 typicallycomprises a nucleotide sequence whose expression is responsible orcontributes to the trait under the control of a promoter appropriate forthe expression of the nucleotide sequence at the desired time in thedesired tissue or part of the plant. Constitutive or inducible promotersare used. The transgene may also comprise other regulatory elements suchas for example translation enhancers or termination signals. In apreferred embodiment, the nucleotide sequence is the coding sequence ofa gene and is transcribed and translated into a protein. In anotherpreferred embodiment, the nucleotide sequence encodes an antisense RNA,a sense RNA that is not translated or only partially translated, at-RNA, a r-RNA or a sn-RNA.

[0078] Where more than one trait are introgressed into inbred maize lineNP2174, it is preferred that the specific genes are all located at thesame genomic locus in the donor, non-recurrent parent, preferably, inthe case of transgenes, as part of a single DNA construct integratedinto the donor's genome. Alternatively, if the genes are located atdifferent genomic loci in the donor, non-recurrent parent, backcrossingallows to recover all of the morphological and physiologicalcharacteristics of inbred maize line NP2174 in addition to the multiplegenes in the resulting maize inbred line.

[0079] The genes responsible for a specific, single gene trait aregenerally inherited through the nucleus. Known exceptions are, e.g. thegenes for male sterility, some of which are inherited cytoplasmically,but still act as single gene traits. In a preferred embodiment, aheterologous transgene to be transferred to maize inbred line NP2174 isintegrated into the nuclear genome of the donor, non-recurrent parent.In another preferred embodiment, a heterologous transgene to betransferred to into maize inbred line NP2174 is integrated into theplastid genome of the donor, non-recurrent parent. In a preferredembodiment, a plastid transgene comprises one gene transcribed from asingle promoter or two or more genes transcribed from a single promoter.

[0080] In a preferred embodiment, a transgene whose expression resultsor contributes to a desired trait to be transferred to maize inbred lineNP2174 comprises a virus resistance trait such as, for example, a MDMVstrain B coat protein gene whose expression confers resistance to mixedinfections of maize dwarf mosaic virus and maize chlorotic mottle virusin transgenic maize plants (Murry et al. Biotechnology (1993)11:1559-64). In another preferred embodiment, a transgene comprises agene encoding an insecticidal protein, such as, for example, a crystalprotein of Bacillus thuringiensis or a vegetative insecticidal proteinfrom Bacillus cereus, such as VIP3 (see for example Estruch et al. NatBiotechnol (1997) 15:137-41). In a preferred embodiment, an insecticidalgene introduced into maize inbred line NP2174 is a Cry1Ab gene or aportion thereof, for example introgressed into maize inbred line NP2174from a maize line comprising a Bt-11 event as described in U.S. Pat. No.6,114,608, which is incorporated herein by reference, or from a maizeline comprising a 176 event as described in Koziel et al. (1993)Biotechnology 11: 194-200. In yet another preferred embodiment, atransgene introgressed into maize inbred line NP2174 comprises aherbicide tolerance gene. For example, expression of an alteredacetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS) enzyme confers upon plants tolerance tovarious imidazolinone or sulfonamide herbicides (U.S. Pat. No.4,761,373). In another preferred embodiment, a non-transgenic traitconferring tolerance to imidazolinones is introgressed into maize inbredline NP2174 (e.g a “IT” or “IR” trait). U.S. Pat. No. 4,975,374,incorporated herein by reference, relates to plant cells and plantscontaining a gene encoding a mutant glutamine synthetase (GS) resistantto inhibition by herbicides that are known to inhibit GS, e.g.phosphinothricin and methionine sulfoximine. Also, expression of aStreptomyces bar gene encoding a phosphinothricin acetyl transferase inmaize plants results in tolerance to the herbicide phosphinothricin orglufosinate (U.S. Pat. No. 5,489,520). U.S. Pat. No. 5,013,659, which isincorporated herein by reference, is directed to plants that express amutant acetolactate synthase (ALS) that renders the plants resistant toinhibition by sulfonylurea herbicides. U.S. Pat. No. 5,162,602 disclosesplants tolerant to inhibition by cyclohexanedione andaryloxyphenoxypropanoic acid herbicides. The tolerance is conferred byan altered acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase(ACCase). U.S. Pat. No.5,554,798 discloses transgenic glyphosate tolerant maize plants, whichtolerance is conferred by an altered 5-enolpyruvyl-3-phosphoshikimate(EPSP) synthase gene. U.S. Pat. No. 5,804,425 discloses transgenicglyphosate tolerant maize plants, which tolerance is conferred by anEPSP synthase gene derived from Agrobacterium tumefaciens CP-4 strain.Also, tolerance to a protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitor is achieved byexpression of a tolerant protoporphyrinogen oxidase enzyme in plants(U.S. Pat. No. 5,767,373). Another trait transferred to inbred maizeline NP2174 confers tolerance to an inhibitor of the enzymehydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) and transgenes conferring suchtrait are, for example, described in WO 9638567, WO 9802562, WO 9923886,WO 9925842, WO 9749816, WO 9804685 and WO 9904021. All issued patentsreferred to herein are, in their entirety, expressly incorporated hereinby reference.

[0081] In a preferred embodiment, a transgene transferred to maizeinbred line NP2174 comprises a gene conferring tolerance to a herbicideand at least another nucleotide sequence encoding another trait, such asfor example, an insecticidal protein. Such combination of single genetraits is for example a Cry1Ab gene and a bar gene.

[0082] Specific transgenic events introgressed into maize inbred lineNP2174 are found at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/bbep/bp/not_reg.html. Forexample, introgressed from glyphosate tolerant event GA21 (9709901p),glyphosate tolerant/Lepidopteran insect resistant event MON 802(9631701p), Lepidopteran insect resistant event DBT418 (9629101p), malesterile event MS3 (9522801p), Lepidopteran insect resistant event Bt11(9519501p), phosphinothricin tolerant event B16 (9514501p), Lepidopteraninsect resistant event MON 80100 (9509301p), phosphinothricin tolerantevents T14, T25 (9435701p), Lepidopteran insect resistant event 176(9431901p).

[0083] The introgression of a Bt11 event into a maize line, such asmaize inbred line NP2174, by backcrossing is exemplified in U.S. Pat.No. 6,114,608, and the present invention is directed to methods ofintrogressing a Bt11 event into maize inbred line NP2174 using forexample the markers described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,114,608 and toresulting maize lines.

[0084] Direct selection may be applied where the trait acts as adominant trait. An example of a dominant trait is herbicide tolerance.For this selection process, the progeny of the initial cross are sprayedwith the herbicide prior to the backcrossing. The spraying eliminatesany plant which does not have the desired herbicide tolerancecharacteristic, and only those plants that have the herbicide tolerancegene are used in the subsequent backcross. This process is then repeatedfor the additional backcross generations.

[0085] This invention also is directed to methods for producing a maizeplant by crossing a first parent maize plant with a second parent maizeplant wherein either the first or second parent maize plant is a maizeplant of inbred line NP2174 or a maize plant of inbred line NP2174further comprising one or more single gene traits. Further, both firstand second parent maize plants can come from the inbred maize lineNP2174 or an inbred maize plant of NP2174 further comprising one or moresingle gene traits. Thus, any such methods using the inbred maize lineNP2174 or an inbred maize plant of NP2174 further comprising one or moresingle gene traits are part of this invention: selfing, backcrosses,hybrid production, crosses to populations, and the like. All plantsproduced using inbred maize line NP2174 or inbred maize plants of NP2174further comprising one or more single gene traits as a parent are withinthe scope of this invention. Advantageously, inbred maize line NP2174 orinbred maize plants of NP2174 further comprising one or more single genetraits are used in crosses with other, different, maize inbreds toproduce first generation (F1) maize hybrid seeds and plants withsuperior characteristics.

[0086] In a preferred embodiment, seeds of inbred maize line NP2174 orseeds of inbred maize plants of NP2174 further comprising one or moresingle gene traits are provided as an essentially homogeneous populationof inbred corn seeds. Essentially homogeneous populations of inbred seedare those that consist essentially of the particular inbred seed, andare generally purified free from substantial numbers of other seed, sothat the inbred seed forms between about 90% and about 100% of the totalseed, and preferably, between about 95% and about 100% of the totalseed. Most preferably, an essentially homogeneous population of inbredcorn seed will contain between about 98.5%, 99%, 99.5% and about 100% ofinbred seed, as measured by seed grow outs. The population of inbredcorn seeds of the invention is further particularly defined as beingessentially free from hybrid seed. The inbred seed population may beseparately grown to provide an essentially homogeneous population ofplants of inbred maize line NP2174 or inbred maize plants of NP2174further comprising one or more single gene traits.

[0087] As used herein, the term “plant” includes plant cells, plantprotoplasts, plant cell tissue cultures from which maize plants can beregenerated, plant calli, plant clumps, and plant cells that are intactin plants or parts of plants, such as embryos, pollen, ovules, flowers,kernels, ears, cobs, leaves, husks, stalks, roots, root tips, anthers,silk, seeds and the like.

[0088] Duncan, Williams, Zehr, and Widholm, Planta (1985) 165:322-332reflects that 97% of the plants cultured that produced callus werecapable of plant regeneration. Subsequent experiments with both inbredsand hybrids produced 91% regenerable callus that produced plants. In afurther study in 1988, Songstad, Duncan & Widholm in Plant Cell Reports(1988), 7:262-265 reports several media additions that enhanceregenerability of callus of two inbred lines. Other published reportsalso indicated that “nontraditional” tissues are capable of producingsomatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration. K. P. Rao, et al., MaizeGenetics Cooperation Newsletter, 60:64-65 (1986), refers to somaticembryogenesis from glume callus cultures and B. V. Conger, et al., PlantCell Reports, 6:345-347 (1987) indicates somatic embryogenesis from thetissue cultures of maize leaf segments. Thus, it is clear from theliterature that the state of the art is such that these methods ofobtaining plants are, and were, “conventional” in the sense that theyare routinely used and have a very high rate of success.

[0089] Tissue culture procedures of maize are described in Green andRhodes, “Plant Regeneration in Tissue Culture of Maize,” Maize forBiological Research (Plant Molecular Biology Association,Charlottesville, Va. 1982, at 367-372) and in Duncan, et al., “TheProduction of Callus Capable of Plant Regeneration from Immature Embryosof Numerous Zea mays Genotypes,” 165 Planta 322-332 (1985). Thus,another aspect of this invention is to provide cells that upon growthand differentiation produce maize plants having the physiological andmorphological characteristics of inbred maize line NP2174. In apreferred embodiment, cells of inbred maize line NP2174 are transformedgenetically, for example with one or more genes described above, forexample by using a transformation method described in U.S. Pat. No.6,114,608, and transgenic plants of inbred maize line NP2174 areobtained and used for the production of hybrid maize plants.

[0090] Maize is used as human food, livestock feed, and as raw materialin industry. The food uses of maize, in addition to human consumption ofmaize kernels, include both products of dry- and wet-milling industries.The principal products of maize dry milling are grits, meal and flour.The maize wet-milling industry can provide maize starch, maize syrups,and dextrose for food use. Maize oil is recovered from maize germ, whichis a by-product of both dry- and wet-milling industries. Maize,including both grain and non-grain portions of the plant, is also usedextensively as livestock feed, primarily for beef cattle, dairy cattle,hogs, and poultry. Industrial uses of maize include production ofethanol, maize starch in the wet-milling industry and maize flour in thedry-milling industry. The industrial applications of maize starch andflour are based on functional properties, such as viscosity, filmformation, adhesive properties, and ability to suspend particles. Themaize starch and flour have application in the paper and textileindustries. Other industrial uses include applications in adhesives,building materials, foundry binders, laundry starches, explosives,oil-well muds, and other mining applications. Plant parts other than thegrain of maize are also used in industry: for example, stalks and husksare made into paper and wallboard and cobs are used for fuel and to makecharcoal.

[0091] The seed of inbred maize line NP2174 or of inbred maize lineNP2174 further comprising one or more single gene traits, the plantproduced from the inbred seed, the hybrid maize plant produced from thecrossing of the inbred, hybrid seed, and various parts of the hybridmaize plant can be utilized for human food, livestock feed, and as a rawmaterial in industry.

[0092] The present invention therefore also discloses an agriculturalproduct comprising a plant of the present invention or derived from aplant of the present invention. The present invention also discloses anindustrial product comprising a plant of the present invention orderived from a plant of the present invention. The present inventionfurther discloses methods of producing an agricultural or industrialproduct comprising planting seeds of the present invention, growingplant from such seeds, harvesting the plants and processing them toobtain an agricultural or industrial product.

DEPOSIT

[0093] Applicants have made a deposit of at least 2500 seeds of InbredMaize Line NP2174 with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC),Manassas, Va., 20110-2209 U.S.A., ATCC Deposit No: ______. This depositof the Inbred Maize Line NP2174 will be maintained in the ATCCdepository, which is a public depository, for a period of 30 years, or 5years after the most recent request, or for the effective life of thepatent, whichever is longer, and will be replaced if it becomesnonviable during that period. Additionally, Applicants have satisfiedall the requirements of 37 C.F.R. §§1.801-1.809, including providing anindication of the viability of the sample. Applicants impose norestrictions on the availability of the deposited material from theATCC; however, Applicants have no authority to waive any restrictionsimposed by law on the transfer of biological material or itstransportation in commerce. Applicants do not waive any infringement ofits rights granted under this patent or under the Plant VarietyProtection Act (7 USC 2321 et seq.).

[0094] The foregoing invention has been described in detail by way ofillustration and example for purposes of clarity and understanding.However, it will be obvious that certain changes and modifications suchas single gene modifications and mutations, somaclonal variants, variantindividuals selected from large populations of the plants of the instantinbred and the like may be practiced within the scope of the invention,as limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. Seed of maize inbred line NP2174 having beendeposited under ATCC Accession No: ______.
 2. A maize plant, or partsthereof, of inbred line NP2174, seed of said line having been depositedunder ATCC Accession No: ______.
 3. Pollen of the plant of claim
 2. 4.An ovule of the plant of claim
 2. 5. A maize plant, or parts thereof,having all the physiological and morphological characteristics of aplant according to claim
 2. 6. A male sterile maize plant, or partsthereof, otherwise having all the physiological and morphologicalcharacteristics of a plant according to claim
 2. 7. A maize plant, orparts thereof, according to claim 2, further comprising one or moresingle gene transferred traits.
 8. A maize plant, or parts thereof,according to claim 7, wherein the plant or parts thereof have beentransformed so that its genetic material contains one or more transgenesoperably linked to one or more regulatory elements.
 9. A maize plantaccording to claim 7, wherein said single gene transferred traitcomprises a gene conferring upon said maize plant tolerance to aherbicide.
 10. A maize plant according to claim 9, wherein saidherbicide is glyphosate, gluphosinate, a sulfonylurea or animidazolinone herbicide, a hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase inhibitoror a protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitor.
 11. A maize plant accordingto claim 7, wherein said single gene transferred trait comprises a geneconferring upon said maize plant insect resistance, disease resistanceor virus resistance.
 12. A maize plant according to claim 11, whereinsaid gene conferring upon said maize plant insect resistance is aBacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ab gene.
 13. A maize plant according to claim12, further comprising a bar gene.
 14. A maize plant according to claim12, wherein said Cry1Ab gene is introgressed into said maize plant froma maize line comprising a Bt-11 event or a 176 event.
 15. Seed of aplant according to claim
 7. 16. A tissue culture of regenerable cells ofa maize plant according to claim 2, wherein the tissue regeneratesplants capable of expressing all the morphological and physiologicalcharacteristics of plants according to claim
 2. 17. A tissue cultureaccording to claim 16, the regenerable cells being selected from thegroup consisting of embryos, meristems, pollen, leaves, anthers, roots,root tips, silk, flowers, kernels, ears, cobs, husks and stalks, orbeing protoplasts or callus derived therefrom.
 18. A maize plantregenerated from the tissue culture of claim 16, capable of expressingall the morphological and physiological characteristics of inbred lineNP2174, seed of said inbred line having been deposited under ATCCAccession No: ______.
 19. A method for producing maize seed comprisingcrossing a first parent maize plant with a second parent maize plant andharvesting the resultant first generation maize seed, wherein said firstor second parent maize plant is the inbred maize plant of claim
 2. 20. Amethod according to claim 19, wherein said first parent maize plant isdifferent from said second parent maize plant, wherein said resultantseed is a first generation (F1) hybrid maize seed.
 21. A methodaccording to claim 19, wherein inbred maize plant of claim 2 is thefemale parent.
 22. A method according to claim 19, wherein inbred maizeplant of claim 2 is the male parent.
 23. An F1 hybrid seed produced bythe method of claim
 20. 24. An F1 hybrid plant, or parts thereof, grownfrom the seed of claim
 23. 25. A method for producing maize seedcomprising crossing a first parent maize plant with a second parentmaize plant and harvesting the resultant first generation maize seed,wherein said first or second parent maize plant is the inbred maizeplant of claim
 5. 26. A method according to claim 25, wherein said firstparent maize plant is different from said second parent maize plant,wherein said resultant seed is a first generation (F1) hybrid maizeseed.
 27. A method according to claim 25, wherein inbred maize plant ofclaim 5 is the female parent.
 28. A method according to claim 27,wherein inbred maize plant of claim 5 is the male parent.
 29. An F1hybrid seed produced by the method of claim
 26. 30. An F1 hybrid plant,or parts thereof, grown from the seed of claim
 29. 31. A method forproducing maize seed comprising crossing a first parent maize plant witha second parent maize plant and harvesting the resultant firstgeneration maize seed, wherein said first or second parent maize plantis the inbred maize plant of claim
 7. 32. A method according to claim31, wherein said first parent maize plant is different from said secondparent maize plant, wherein said resultant seed is a first generation(F1) hybrid maize seed.
 33. A method according to claim 31, whereininbred maize plant of claim 7 is the female parent.
 34. A methodaccording to claim 31, wherein inbred maize plant of claim 7 is the maleparent.
 35. An F1 hybrid seed produced by the method of claim
 32. 36. AnF1 hybrid plant, or parts thereof, grown from the seed of claim
 35. 37.A method comprising: (a) planting a collection of seed comprising seedof a hybrid, one of whose parents is a plant according to claim 2, or amaize plant having all the physiological and morphologicalcharacteristics of a plant according to claim 2, said collection alsocomprising seed of said inbred line; (b) growing plants from saidcollection of seed; (c) identifying said inbred plants; (d) selectingsaid inbred plant; and (e) controlling pollination in a manner whichpreserves the homozygosity of said inbred plant.
 38. A method accordingto claim 37, wherein said one parent is a plant of inbred maize lineNP2174, further comprising a single gene transferred trait.
 39. Themethod of claim 37, wherein said step of identifying said inbred plantcomprises identifying plants with decreased vigor.
 40. A methodcomprising introgressing a single gene trait into inbred maize lineNP2174, seed of said line having been deposited under ATCC Accession No:______, using one or more markers for marker assisted selection amongmaize lines to be used in a maize breeding program, the markers beingassociated with a single gene trait, wherein the resulting maize line isinbred maize line NP2174 further comprising said single gene transferredtrait.
 41. A method according to claim 40, wherein said a single genetrait comprises a Cry1Ab gene.
 42. A NP2174-derived maize plant, orparts thereof, wherein at least one ancestor of said maize plant is themaize plant of claim 2, said maize plant expressing a combination of atleast two NP2174 traits selected from the group consisting of: arelative maturity of approximately 85 to 105 days based on theComparative Relative Maturity Rating System for harvest moisture ofgrain, acceptable to good grain quality, good Eyespot resistance, goodCommon Rust resistance, average First Brood Corn Borer resistance, goodSecond Brood Corn Borer resistance, average early growth, good seedlingvigor, early pollen shed, reliable late season plant health, averagepollen shed, improved stalk strength and resistance to stalk diseases,acceptable late season intactness, and adapted to the Northern Cornbeltregions of the United States.